Skip to content
Support Hidden City img

support our work

become a member
donate

exploring philadelphia's urban landscape

Support Hidden City img

follow

Asset 2
Artboard 1
  • Tours
  • About
  • Shop
  • Member Login
  • Support
  • Contact
  • Editorial Policies
Uncovering Philly’s First Big Dig
History

Uncovering Philly’s First Big Dig

Ed Duffy excavates the origins of the Pennsylvania Avenue Subway

Riding The Rails On Pennsylvania’s Original Turnpike
History

Riding The Rails On Pennsylvania’s Original Turnpike

As Phase One of the Reading Viaduct Rail Park sets to open this spring, Harry K. takes us on a ride along the Philadelphia & Columbia Railroad, one of the earliest railroads in America

Official “Marriage” Of Reading Viaduct Advocates
Development

Official “Marriage” Of Reading Viaduct Advocates

The decade-old Reading Viaduct Project will merge with Friends of the Rail Park to help manage the first phase of the park, set for construction next year, and to work toward the vision of a combined elevated-submerged three mile linear park

Along The City Branch, The Forgotten Norris Locomotive Works
History

Along The City Branch, The Forgotten Norris Locomotive Works

The submerged City Branch railroad–the subject of so much debate today–was not only one of the earliest rail lines in the US, it was also the place where train engine technology was developed and massive manufacturing occurred. The best known of these manufacturers was Baldwin Locomotive Works, but Harry K has the story of another, the early rail powerhouse, Norris Locomotive Works

Questions, Possibilities As City Branch Park Planning Advances
Art & Design

Questions, Possibilities As City Branch Park Planning Advances

Design for a proposed park along the submerged City Branch railroad is pushing “continuity and connectivity,” along with a bold entrance in front of the School District headquarters on North Broad Street. We have insight on the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead

What To Do With The City Branch: Return It To Transit As Light Rail
Urbanism

What To Do With The City Branch: Return It To Transit As Light Rail

With planning to begin on the underground City Branch railroad connecting to the Reading Viaduct, we asked our contributor Stephen Stofka to provide an alternate vision for light rail extending from the heart of Center City to Fairmount Park and beyond. He says it could cost a fraction of the cost of green space and is practically “shovel ready”

What To Do With The City Branch: Make It Part Of A 3 Mile Linear Park and Non-Motorized Transitway
Urbanism

What To Do With The City Branch: Make It Part Of A 3 Mile Linear Park and Non-Motorized Transitway

With planning to begin on the underground City Branch railroad connecting to the Reading Viaduct, we asked Paul vanMeter of ViaductGreene to present his vision for turning the railbed into a linear park–a search for authenticity and connectivity in the changing city


Hidden City Alternate Logo

© 2011-2023 Hidden City Philadelphia

  • About
  • Support
  • Tours & Events
  • Shop
  • Members
  • Contact